EASTON, MARYLAND — Maryland’s early teal-only hunting season is already underway. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources said the fall teal season opened Sept. 17 and runs through Sept. 26 in the September Teal Hunting Zone.

Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise until sunset. The daily bag limit is six teal — blue-winged or green-winged — and the possession limit is 18 teal, or three times the daily bag. Seasons and bag limits for other migratory game birds are published in the 2026-27 Maryland Guide to Hunting and Trapping.

“The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is pleased to once again offer the special early teal season as an additional waterfowl hunting opportunity and chance for hunters to experience all our state has to offer,” Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Karina Stonesifer said in the Sept. 15 release.

All migratory game bird hunters, including landowners who are license-exempt, must hold a valid Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp / Harvest Information Program permit. Waterfowl hunters age 16 and older also need a Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp — a traditional duck stamp or an e-stamp. Traditional stamps must be signed and carried while hunting; e-stamp hunters must carry printed purchase validation.

Licenses, permits, and stamps are sold through DNR’s MD Outdoors licensing system. DNR’s waterfowl hunting page points hunters to the same 2026-27 Guide for finalized migratory season dates and daily bag limits published in the Federal Register. Hunters with questions may call DNR at 410-260-8540.

DNR did not release harvest tallies for the opening days. Bag and possession limits above are the department’s published rules for this teal window.